The big 5 - trait perspective

Question 1

What’s the big five based on

Answer 1

Lexical hypothesis

Question 2

Steps to discovering the big five (4)

Answer 2

• based on the lexical hypothesis
• normal (1967) - based on Tupes and Christal (1961/92) identified 1431 major descriptors
• collapsed them into 75 adjectives
• researchers then used surveys and factor analysis and found five superordinate traits

Question 3

What are the big 5

Answer 3

• openness
• conscientiousness
• extra version
• agreeableness
• neuroticism

Question 4

Extra version (sociability) main factors (4)

Answer 4

• other labels eg social adaptability ; assertiveness; energy
• relevant life domain: power
• reflected through behavioural and affective channels
• common adjectives: energetic, outspoken. Opposites eg timid and seclusive

Question 5

Extraversion implications (3)

Answer 5

• achieve higher status
• more popular (Jensen-Campbell et al, 2002)
• more attractive, exercise more, attend more parties, consume more alcohol (Paunonen, 2003)

Question 6

Agreeableness (4)

Answer 6

• other labels; conformity, friendly compliance, likeability
• relevant life domain; social interaction and love
• reflected through behavioural, affective and cognitive channels
• common adjectives, friendly, kind, considerate, good natured. Opposites: cold, spiteful.

Question 7

Agreeableness implications (4)

Answer 7

• more likely to resist having an affair (Schmitt and Buss, 2001)
• more involved in religious activities, good sense of humour (Ozer and Benet-Mated mostly rtinez)
• Smoke less (paunonen, 2003)
• makes children less vulnerable to bullying (Jensen-Vampbell et al., 2002, p. 236)

Question 8

Conscientiousness (4)

Answer 8

• Other labels: responsibility; will to achieve
• Relevant life domain: work
• Reflected mostly through cognitive channels
• common adjectives: cautious serious, playful, hard-working. Opposite careless and frivolous

Question 9

Conscientiousness implications (3)

Answer 9

• stingiest correlate of exam performance - more organised, motivated (Schmidt and Hunter, 1998)
• Higher sense of self control and morality
• less likely to experience conflict (Ge and Conger, 1999)

Question 10

Neuroticism (4)

Answer 10

Other labels emotional control and emotional lability
-Relevant Life domain: affect
-Reflected through affected channels
- common adjectives nervous, excitable anxious high strung _opposites are calm composed

Question 11

Neuroticism implications (4)

Answer 11

• Stronger negative reactions to stressful events (Bolger and Zuckerman, 1995)
• Cope poorly with stress, more problems in family relationships (Ozer and Benet-Martinez, 2006)
• Less happy, mor anxious and physically sick (McRae and Costa, 1991)
• Less likely to be poached away from romantic partners (Schmitt and Buss, 2001)

Question 12

Openness to experience (5)

Answer 12

• other labels; inquiring intellect; intelligence; creativity; culture (Goldberg, 1993)
• relevant life domain - intellect
• reflected mostly through cognitive channels with some affect and behaviour input
• common adjectives ; imaginative, polished, creative. Opposites - simple, unreflective

Question 13

Openness to experience implications (4)

Answer 13

• viewed by others as more creative, imaginative, intelligent and less shallow
• more likely to believe in UFOs and extra-terrestrial life (Epstein and Meier, 1989)
• Also more substance abuse and more likely to feel ‘inspired’
• more likely to be politically liberal, play a musical instrument ent and use drugs (Ozer and Benet-Martinez, 2006)